An inspirational book that presents some difficult topics in a way that is accessible for kids. Great addition to collections looking to expand STEM titles and increase titles with strong female protagonists.

'Friends Change the World: We Are NASA Scientists' by Zoë Tucker with illustrations by Amanda Quartey is a picture book about two of the scientists who helped get astronauts in to space.

Mary Jackson was really good at math. So good that she got a job at NASA, but she worked there during segregation. She met a scientist named Kaz Czarnecki and they became friends and helped each other at work. Their friendship lasted for decades because of mutual respect that crossed any racial barriers.

I loved this story which tackles a difficult topic, but shows how friends can help each other out. The illustrations are just fantastic, too!

I received a review copy of this ebook from Quarto Publishing Group - Wide Eyed Editions, and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this ebook. The illustrations by Lo Harris are warm colors and

This is a wonderful book to introduce younger readers to Mary Jackson and how important she was to the space movement. It also doesn't shy away from the discrimination she faced as well.

I've said it before, and will say it again. Representation matters. To show children that they too could grow up to be NASA scientists, no matter that they are a girl, no matter that they are Black is a great thing.

Very simple story of Mary's life. And if this gets one child inspired, it will have done its work.

<em> Thanks to NEtgalley for making this book available for an honest review.</em>

A great intro to the history of NASA, a “Hidden Figures” for the younger readers. To my knowledge the teen and preteen age has an adaptation of the story, but this is a good younger version

I adored We Are The NASA Scientists! Beautiful illustrations accompany an inspiring story about the friendship between Mary Jackson and Kazimierz Czarnecki, who you may remember as the inspiration behind Hidden Figures. This book reminded me a lot of the books in the Little People Big Dreams series. I loved the illustrations and inspiring story if two minds who succeeded through their intellect and determination.

Thank you Quarto Publishing Group – Wide Eyed Editions and NetGalley for providing this ARC.

This book features the life of Mary Jackson in a motivational story about overcoming racist limits and following your dreams. Mrs Jackson is a brilliant role model for young girls and minority children to fight against discrimination to pursue their talents and goals.

Friends Change the World: We Are the NASA Scientists is a very touching book about the great things you can achieve when you work together with someone because you have the same goals and ambitions, regardless of biases and in this story, the racism that the main character faced. It talks about racism, segregation, in a way that can help a child understand how bad those things are but how the character fought for what is right. Zoe Tucker shows in this book how determination and drive can lead you to do amazing things, and how you can do that with your friends.

We Are the NASA Scientists, written by Zoë Tucker and illustrated by Amanda Quartey, is part of the Friends Change the World series and is currently scheduled for release on November 30 2021. This picture book tells the story of two scientists who worked together side by side to send humans into space. Mary Jackson was super smart. She loved math and science, and she loved to learn. When Mary got a job at NASA, it was a dream come true! But this was a time when Black people were segregated from white people, and Mary had to fight hard for every opportunity. In 1953, Mary started working alongside Kaz Czarnecki. They soon realized how much they could share and teach each other. The two were from completely different backgrounds, but it didn't matter at all—they had so much in common. This was the beginning of a friendship that lasted for decades. Together, they worked on amazing experiments and achieved incredible things, like working to land astronauts on the moon.

We Are the NASA Scientists is a well written book that shares the story of how two scientists came together to make great discoveries and small changes towards equal right while following their dreams. I liked the honest and straight way prejudice and discrimination was handled. It showed that treating people differently because of race or gender was wrong, but still focused on the persistence, intelligence, and determination of the people involved. I liked the way the support of family, friends, and colleagues was included in that as well, because overcome systemic barriers usually require some encouragement and support. I thought the illustrations were well done, showing the emotions of the individuals and hinting at things were not outright stated but important to Mary's story.

I really liked the illustrations in this book. I felt they were crisp and clean and really added to the information. A great look at this science discovery.

I thought that this was a wonderful fun story and I liked the illustrations.

The book showed how much of an impact Mary was able to make – I will admit as an adult I did know about her from previous readings but this book is a great introduction to children about this fascinating lady. She is an inspiration to all ethnicities in my view and was a pioneer in space travel. My 4-year-old daughter is space mad so she was really excited to be told that a lady helped them to land on the moon.

This is a really positive and powerful book for the short number of pages – it gives plenty to think about and discuss from equal treatments to women overall and segregation too as well as the space race. It is 5 stars from me for this one – highly recommended!

This book for children is so inspiring! Illuminating the racist segregation and misogyny Mary endured and the widespread denial of her brilliance is heartwrenching; but the encouragement of her white male colleague Kaz is electrifying, as is Mary's own unswerving determination to succeed, and endeavors of encouragement to all Children to pursue their dreams!

Mary Jackson was a remarkable woman and I loved getting to know more about her story! The book traces her career from her beginnings at NASA to her eventual journey of becoming an engineer and working on the Apollo missions. Segregation at NASA and in the education system are directly addressed and it's shown how hard Mary had to fight to get around these obstacles in her path. It also shows her being supported by family and colleagues throughout her career.

I enjoyed the way her friendship with Kaz was highlighted, both in honor of their longstanding mutual respect, but also as a way to address the idea of privilege. Kaz doesn't face the same bigotry that Mary does and he uses his privileged position to encourage her and support her progress, as he recognizes her talent and the value of her contributions. That said, it's clear Mary is the author of her own fate and her success is due to her own hard work and talent.

The book is very well-illustrated. Each page is full of lively, detailed art that supports the story and will keep kids' interest. Even though the subject matter is complicated, the language is simple and clear enough that even early elementary kids should be able to follow and appreciate this story. There are a few times that UK terms are used ("sums" for math, "qualification" for degree, etc.) but they shouldn't stop US students from understanding the overall message.

Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review!